Do not believe a thing because many people speak of it

A wise acquaintance frequently refers to the good old days when politicians ran for public office, not because they needed the job (the money) but rather ran because they felt they could govern in a way that was for the greater good of the people. I usually sputter at that point and remind him that he is talking about lawyers and other wealthy elite. When have lawyers and wealthy elite served any interest that was not their own or that of their cronies?